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S4 E11 A Mother’s Love, A Mother’s Lies with Liz Scheier
Happy Mother's Day, Sisters! We hope it will be a joyful one for you and your families.
As we know well, our relationships with our moms can run the emotional gamut over the lifespan. We also know that some moms are made for mothering (or work really hard at it!), while some simply fall short because of circumstances they can't (or don't know how to) control.
In Liz Scheier's beautiful, honest memoir, Never Simple, she describes her difficult and complex relationship with her mother, Judith. As a result of Judith's borderline personality disorder (BPD), Liz's childhood was fraught with chaos and volatility.
When Liz was 18 years old, her mother dropped two bombshells. One, that her mom had been married for most of the previous two decades to a man Liz had never heard of. And second, that everything she had told Liz about the man she’d claimed was Liz's dead father was entirely fictional. Never Simple is Liz's story about what happened next.
We loved our illuminating and intimate conversation with Liz -- and you will, too.
Never Simple has garnered praise from the New York Times, Publishers Weekly (starred review), Kirkus, Library Journal, Bookpage, Booklist, and bestselling authors Augusten Burroughs, Jenny Lawson, Isaac Mizrahi, Elissa Altman, Greer Hendricks, and Mira Bartók. It was chosen as a Best Book of March by Amazon and Apple Books, a People Picks by People Magazine, an Indie Next pick, a Barnes & Noble Top 10 Favorite Ebook of 2022, and was featured as one of “15 March Reads to Get You Through the Month” on Good Morning America. It was a finalist for a Lambda Award.
S4 E10 Losing a Beloved Sister with Steven Petrow
We love Steven Petrow for many reasons: he's funny, he's smart, he's a kickass writer, and he's tirelessly devoted to his beloved family.
Sadly, Steven lost his younger sister, Julie Petrow Cohen, to ovarian cancer in June 2023. From all accounts, Julie led a life that priortized joy, professionalism, social justice, and family. In essence, she lived her life in full throttle.
At the end of her life, Julie chose when to die, accessing a little-known right in her state of New Jersey to die with dignity -- also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). (MAID is currently an option in 9 states and Washington, D.C.)
Steven promised his beloved sister he would write about her experience and choice so that others may learn about and consider this option if needed. In a New York Times article entitled, "I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die," Steven did just that. The article, not surprisingly, resonated with thousands.
Listen in as Steven talks about losing his beloved sister, how their shared experiences and humor bonded them, and what he's learned about the grief journey.
Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He’s also an opinion columnist for USA Today, where he writes about civil discourse and manners. Steven's 2019 TED Talk, “3 Ways to Practice Civility” has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages.
S4 E9 The Science of Your Horoscope with Omar Senior
Hey, Sisters. If you're a believer in astrology or you're simply interested in what's behind the science of it, this is the episode for you.
We've both experienced some pretty amazing insights since we found Omar Senior. What we absolutely love about his readings (and him!) is his vast knowledge of astrology and the science behind it. In other words, we're sold!
Omar Senior is a dedicated astrologer who has immersed himself in the study of astrology for two decades. On a mission to share the profound insights of astrology with a global audience -- and a passion for making this ancient wisdom accessible to as many people as possible -- Omar is the visionary creator behind blackastrology.com. Through his work, he strives to equip others with the tools necessary to navigate life's journey and tap into the cosmic energies that shape our existence. You can also find him on his YouTube channel.
Abby and Julie open the episode with their own thoughts about astrology and Abby's ongoing issues with other drivers who are clearly struggling with the rules of the road.
S4 E8 Inside the Mind of a Narcissist with The Nameless Narcissist
Hey, Sisters. We can't seem to take a breath these days without hearing some new thing about narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder. How 'bout you?
Enter social media's The Nameless Narcissist, Jacob Skidmore. He's all over your feeds talking about his own diagnosis of NPD -- and helping millions of people in the process understand the narcissists in their lives.
Our conversation with Jacob was honest, refreshing, and (at times) disturbing, as he unveiled the inner workings, thoughts, and motivations of someone with a diagnosis of NPD.
Cluster B personality disorders (of which NPD is one) will never fail to capture our imaginations, raise our ire, and make us scratch our heads. But so much of what we think we know about the people who suffer from these mental illnesses is rarely from the horse's mouth.
Listen in as The Nameless Narcissist pulls back the curtain on how narcissists feel (or not), and why they behave the way they do -- even when they know they're hurting those they claim to love.
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Karens. Who are they? And what defines a Karen?
S4 E7 Your Menopause Reinvention with Julie Gordon White
This is NOT your mother's menopause, Sisters! Yes, it is the time of life when you can no longer procreate (Hallelujah to that!), but it's also the time of life to start creating the life YOU want. Don't believe it? Our guest, Julie Gordon White, will surely change your mind.
In this episode, we talk to Julie Gordon White about health, mental health, wellness, and nutrition and how all of those things connect in menopause. We also discuss how small shifts can bring about big changes.
Julie Gordon White is an award-winning entrepreneur focused on improving supportive nutrition and building community for women in midlife and menopause. She is an expert on the intersections of nutritional science and menopause.
Julie is the founder of MenoWell Energy Bars (Bossa Bars). These energy bars are made expressly for women in all stages of menopause to optimize the nutrition our bodies are craving as we go through "the change." They're also one of Oprah's selections as a Best Menopause Product.
Julie is working to redefine and empower the experience of menopause and midlife for women and she herself is a glowing example of midlife reinvention. She believes in facing 50 head-on, pivoting, reinventing, and owning midlife as the best time in life.
Abby and Julie open the podcast discussing why Abby is a little wary about her private psychotherapy clients discovering Sisters Cracking Up.
S4 E6 Women and ADHD with Sari Solden
Hey, Sisters, could this be YOU? (It's us, that's for sure!)
Another day, another misdiagnosis of a disorder that plagues so many women. It's common for symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) to be overlooked or "explained away" by professionals as depression, anxiety, or overwhelm when it shows up in women.
Chances are, if you suspect you have this diagnosis, it's gone undiagnosed since you were little. And all the while you've beaten yourself up wondering why you simply can't be as organized or focused as you perceive others to be.
The good news is there's Sari Solden, M.S. And thankfully we have her on this episode of Sisters Cracking Up. Both of us have been dogged by the symptoms of ADD for years and we're just starting to recognize the impact it's had on our lives. If you suspect you may have this diagnosis as well, don't ignore it or wish it away -- there's practical, life-changing help!
Psychotherapist Sari Solden specializes in working with men and women with ADHD and the mental health professionals who want to help them. She has been counseling adults and supporting neurodiverse women with ADHD for 35 years. Her areas of specialization include women's issues, inattentive ADHD, and the emotional consequences for adults who grew up with undiagnosed ADHD.
Sari Solden has written three books on the topic: Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, Journeys Through ADDulthood, and A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD.
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's superior driving skills and the importance of being prepared when returning packages. Spoiler alert: FFS, have your QR code ready, people!
S4 E4 Living More Authentically with Dr. Carolyn Kurle
It's THAT time of life, Sisters. The time when we can choose to live truer to our own selves, or just slog through life telling ourselves the same, tired stories and never making the changes necessary to live more authentically.
Enter Dr. Carolyn Kurle, author of The Guidance Groove: Escape Unproductive Habits, Trust Your Intuition, and Be True. Lucky for us, she has a lot of brilliance to share on what we can do to shift our thinking and behaviors.
According to Dr. Kurle, there's a voice inside you that knows what to do every single time you are faced with a choice. And that voice is your authenticity and your truth. It is your Guidance Groove!
Listen in and learn how to reject your unproductive grooves -- inadequacy, obligation, scarcity, and unworthiness -- and live a life of honesty, truth, and self-respect.
Dr. Carolyn Kurle is a tenured Biology Professor at the University of California, San Diego, and the author of numerous research articles aimed at improving conservation strategies for imperiled species and habitats. Her work teaching hundreds of outstanding students at UCSD, many of whom paradoxically struggle to find ease, motivated her to write this book for connecting with your guidance to increase personal authenticity and contentment.
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing plastic surgery, baby showers, and channeling their mom
S4 E5 Menopause and Your Hormones with Kate Wells
Hey, Sisters. Ever wonder what's actually going on in your body during menopause? And why we can have some really uncomfortable symptoms when we're going through it?
Hot flashes, crankiness, and exhaustion are just some of the things you might experience. Did you know these are all caused by the hormonal changes that accompany this time of life? And that symptoms can show up as early as your 30s?
Did you also know there are tried and true treatments for your symptoms that will help you manage through menopause?
Kate Wells is our guest and she is an expert on all things menopause and hormones. Kate is the co-founder of Parlor Games LLC, a company that specializes in solutions for women's health
around menopause and beyond. Women’s health is complex - the hormones that govern much of our lives from puberty to menopause have a huge impact on overall wellness. After menopause, instead of a balanced state, women are often in a state of hormone insufficiency which has a profound impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. With a line of products supporting women’s health and a focus on education, Parlor Games has already changed the lives of thousands of women with their commitment to science, sisterhood, and solutions. Learn more at https://www.parlor-games.com/
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing what a mother-of-the-groom should wear, the fancy dresses of the 1980s, and hating music.
S4 E3 Mastering Menopause with Clarissa Kristjansson
It's time to talk about menopause, Sisters! And, yes, this means you. Whether you're 35 or 65, you're going to learn a lot about how to manage this inevitable life change with none other than the extraordinary Clarissa Kristjansson.
We found Clarissa through her amazing, top-rated podcast, Thriving Through Menopause, and we knew we'd learn a thing or two about menopause from her. She's devoted her career to helping menopausal women thrive through the changes that menopause brings.
Clarissa holds a doctorate in neuroscience and honors degrees in food and nutrition. She's a published mindfulness author, health and wellness coach, and experienced mindfulness and Qigong teacher. She practices an integrative approach to working with women to manage menopausal symptoms.
Abby and Julie open the episode with an in-depth discussion of the male equivalent of resting bitch face and why roasted marshmallows are indeed a delicacy.
S4 E2 Surviving the Empty Nest with Celia Dodd
Yes, Sisters. It's already THAT time of the year. For some, back-to-school simply means the kiddos are heading back to the classroom. But for others, it may mean that your kid (or kiddos) is launching. Where they're headed (college, job, military, gap year, or simply moving out of the family home), isn't as important as the fact that your kid-centric life is now coming to a seemingly abrupt end.
The empty nest can be an emotional time of reflection and significant change. We wonder if we can remain close to our kids as they start their new journeys. We may also have fears about our partnerships: Will they and can they survive without the children as the focal point of your lives?
Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child, can help. Borne of her own experience of the empty nest, she set out to provide parents with a guidebook for better understanding this phase of parenting, and ways to manage the roller coaster of emotions that can come with it.
If you're facing the empty nest in a couple of days, weeks, or years, you don't want to miss this episode. Hint: Successfully planning ahead for this change is possible!
Celia Dodd is a journalist and author who wrote regularly for The Times, the Independent and other national newspapers and magazines, focusing on relationships, family, life, health, and education. After 30 years as a journalist, she turned to writing books about parenting and major transitions in life, such as the empty nest and retirement.
Abby opens the episode by quizzing Julie on how well she knows the both of them as sisters. They also discuss what to do about gifts from your spouse you don't like.
S4 E1 Healing Trauma Through Exercise with Laura Khoudari
Sisters, if we've lived long enough, we already know trauma (and healing from it) can be a stubborn beast. We also know that our body stores our trauma until we do the work to release it.
Enter Laura Khoudari, author of Lifting Heavy Things: Healing Trauma One Rep at a Time. She is a trauma practitioner, certified personal trainer, and corrective exercise specialist.
Khoudari found that strength training was a modality that worked in her own trauma-healing journey and she generously shares her experience, insights, and wisdom for those looking to experience movement as a way back to health, healing, and self-care.
This interview is not about how to weight train. It is about using exercise and movement as a way to release ourselves from shame, negative self-talk, and self-doubt. It is about moving your body to heal -- and finding your way back to you.
S3 E15 The Science of Trauma Recovery with Dr. Elizabeth Stanley
Hey, Sisters. Got trauma? You, too? We've all had some. The question is, have you dealt with yours effectively? Or, have you tried different approaches and modalities to heal from trauma that either don't help or even make matters worse?
So many of us tell ourselves that our trauma doesn't "count" because there's always someone with a more tragic tale. This attitude does so much to increase our stress and impede our healing. It can prevent us from getting the help we need.
Dr. Elizabeth Stanley gets all of this and so much more. Her book, "Widen the Window: Training Your Brain and Body to Thrive During Stress and Recover from Trauma," was born of attempting to heal from her own striking stress and trauma. She made it her professional mission to help others "widen the window" within which our thinking brain and survival brain work together cooperatively, enabling us to activate our resilience and best selves.
If you're interested in trauma, stress, and tips for recovery, you don't want to miss this episode.
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's unique tailoring idea for her new jumpsuit.
Elizabeth A. Stanley, Ph.D. is a professor of security studies with joint appointments in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government. Earlier in her career, she served as a U.S. Army intelligence officer in South Korea, Germany, and on peacekeeping deployments to the Balkans, leaving service as a captain. She is the creator of Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT), tested through four neuroscience research studies with the U.S. military
S3 E14 How to Stop Feeling Like Crap with Andrea Owen
Are you a people-pleaser? Are you your own worst critic? Do you sometimes feel like an imposter? Are you a perfectionist? You're not alone. So many women engage in these self-destructive (and unconscious) habits and Andrea Owen is on the show today to talk about how to kick them to the curb and live your happiest life.
As Andrea says, "The cycle never stops when you don’t know any other way."
In this episode, we interview Andrea about her book, "How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back From Happiness," which has been translated into 19 languages.
Andrea Owen is an author, global keynote speaker, and professional certified life coach who helps high-achieving women maximize unshakeable confidence, and master resilience. She has taught hundreds of thousands of women tools and strategies to be able to empower themselves to live their most kick-ass lives through keynote speaking, her books, coaching, and her wildly popular podcast, Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen.
Abby and Julie open the show talking about Abby's plastic surgery consult.
S3 E13 Growing Up with a Narcissistic Mother with Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg
We're all so much better educated these days about narcissism and narcissists -- especially when we suspect we have a partner who displays narcissistic tendencies and behaviors.
But what if your experience with narcissism began long before you can even remember? And what if the narcissist in your life was/is YOUR MOTHER?!
Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg joins Sisters Cracking Up in this episode to discuss her book, Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers: Quiet the Critical Voice in Your Head, Heal Self-Doubt, and Live the Life You Deserve.
Was/Is everything always about your mom no matter what? If your mom was/is a narcissist, you may have grown up feeling controlled or manipulated by her. She may also have made you feel damaged, rejected, and ashamed, leaving you with lasting anxieties and insecurities. If this sounds at all familiar, you do not want to miss this episode.
Dr. Stephanie Kriesberg is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Concord, MA. She helps adult children of narcissistic parents lead healthier, happier lives.
Abby and Julie kick off the episode by discussing comedian Matt Rife's Boston concert. They also pose another fascinating dinner party conversation starter, courtesy of TikTok's @alliegoneaway.
S3 E12 When You’re Dumped by a Friend with Liz Pryor
It's happened to the best of us, Sisters -- and certainly by midlife. Both of us have experienced this unceremonious and cruel "dumping" by people we thought were close, dear friends.
If you have experienced this, you know how confusing and painful it can be. Many women describe the experience as being as painful and heartbreaking as a romantic breakup -- and sometimes worse!
Luckily, we have Liz Pryor on the show to talk about why this happens and what you can do about it when it does. She wrote the amazing book, "What Did I Do Wrong? What to Do When You Don't Know Why the Friendship is Over" -- and we felt so much better after hearing her take. She's talked with thousands of women about this phenomenon -- and, given how common it is, we should all be talking about it more.
Author, speaker, relationship, and life advice expert, Liz Pryor, tells inspiring life stories on and off the page. Her first book of advice about female friendship, What Did I Do Wrong? (Simon&Schuster), was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award. Pryor was among 15,000 applicants vying for a position as a life advice expert on ABC’s Good Morning America. After a six-month search, on-air competition, and public voting process, Pryor was chosen. She spent the next two years on air dispensing advice on all aspects of everyday living. Pryor later released her provocative, moving memoir, "Look at You Now" (Random House), which promptly became a Chicago Tribune bestseller. The paperback version was released in the US and the UK. Look at You Now was most recently optioned for a television series by SONY Television.
Abby and Julie open the episode discussing Abby's big birthday and her newly-embraced theory that sometimes our decisions can only be understood backward.
S3 E11 Tales of Midlife Mayhem with Humorist Laurie Notaro
Hey, Sisters. Yes, you already know and love New York Times bestselling author, Laurie Notaro. She's the funny, irreverent, modern-day Erma Bombeck. And she's on Sisters Cracking Up with more hilarity than ever.
Notaro's book, Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem, is loaded with important food for thought like, "Why is my ass where my belly used to be?" and "What's the deal with my eyebrows?"
She also dives into her decision to "go gray" and advises us all to proudly follow suit.
Laurie Notaro is the New York Times best-selling author of the humor memoirs, The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club, Autobiography of a Fat Bride, I Love Everybody, and Housebroken, along with numerous others; two humor novels; and Crossing the Horizon, a novel of historical fiction that tells the true story of once famous and now forgotten aviatrices prior to Amelia Earhart. She resides in Eugene, Oregon, has a cute dog, a nice husband and misses Mexican food like it was her youth.
Abby and Julie kick off the episode with musings about their own "gray" journeys and also reflect on an interesting dinner party question.
S3 E10 Quit Overthinking and Find Your Joy with Joseph Nguyen
Hey, Sisters. Interested in a new way to think yourself to a more peaceful and joyful life? We were, too. So, when Julie found the book, Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking is the Beginning and End of Suffering, we knew we had to get Joseph Nguyen on the pod.
Joseph Nguyen's groundbreaking book outlines a radical way to approach the countless thoughts we have every day. We can't control our thoughts, but we CAN change the way we think about them. Why would you want to do that? According to Nguyen, it's because your "thinking" is the root cause of all your emotional suffering.
Joseph Nguyen is the author of the #1 international bestselling book, Don't Believe Everything You Think, which has been translated into 17+ languages.
He is a writer who helps others realize who they truly are beyond their own thinking and conditioning to live an abundant life free from psychological and emotional suffering.
When he's not busy petting his 3 cats that he's allergic to, he spends the rest of his time writing, teaching, speaking, and sharing timeless wisdom to help people discover their own divinity from within and how they are the answer they’ve been looking for their entire lives.
You may visit his website at www.josephnguyen.org for more books, resources, and videos to help you on your journey.
S3 E9 When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us with Jane Adams Ph.D.
If we're being honest, this happens to all parents at one point or another: Our grown kids disappoint us. But it remains one of the toughest things to talk about openly as we still believe (somewhere deep inside) that the poor/unpopular decisions our kids make reflects badly on who we are as parents. Whether we judge ourselves for their choices -- or we fear being judged by others -- we often remain selective about what we share when our grown kids make choices we don't like.
And why do we do this? According to Dr. Jane Adams, author of, When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us: Letting Go of Their Problems, Loving Them Anyway, and Getting on with Our Lives, the reason is GUILT. Plain and simple. We blame ourselves.
But, according to Dr. Jane Adams, we need to learn to let go of the guilt and get back to loving our kids for who they are -- no matter if we agree with their life choices or not. Her book -- and this episode -- is a must if you're struggling with your kids' choices and blaming yourself.
S3 E8 Mummy was a Secret Drinker with Clare Pooley
Dry January is here! Are you partaking...or maybe finding the challenge a little too, well, challenging? Lucky for all of us, Clare Pooley, author of The Sober Diaries, has joined us just in time for this episode of Sisters Cracking Up.
Clare Pooley discovered that her personal journey to sobriety really didn't differ all that much from the hundreds of thousands of people who logged on to read her blog, Mummy was a Secret Drinker, which has had nearly three million hits. The difference for Clare was that she became a beacon of light, love, and support for so many slogging the same, difficult path.
Her memoir, The Sober Diaries, was published in 2017 to critical acclaim. With a delicate mix of humor, encouragement, self-revelation, and hard truths, her book about becoming sober stands out as one that highlights that life after sobriety is one not to be afraid of but, rather, to get really excited about.
Now eight years sober and healthy, Clare also discusses her breast cancer diagnosis in the midst of her newfound sobriety and how being sober helped her immensely in facing her health challenges.
Abby and Julie discuss their addictions to kick off the episode.
S3 E7 Sibling Estrangement with Fern Schumer Chapman
Hey, Sisters. Most of us know there's no time like the holidays to highlight all the good (and not-so-good) parts of being in a family.
Although Hallmark (and its minions) would like us to believe that all of our close family relationships are intact, this is indeed not the case.
Author Fern Schumer Chapman (Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation) is on Sisters Cracking Up talking about her amazing book and her own road to reconciliation and healing with her brother.
Family rifts are beyond painful for everyone involved and more common than you think. You are not alone if you have a sibling relationship that causes you strife, stress, and anxiety.
The good news is this book can help. The better news is you can listen to this episode right now to jumpstart managing and healing from your own estranged relationships.
Critically acclaimed Chicago-based writer Fern Schumer Chapman has written several award-winning books. She writes a blog on psychologytoday.com called "Brothers, Sisters, Strangers," and she co-hosts a podcast by the same name. Some of her blog posts are compiled in her most recent work, The Sibling Estrangement Journal: A Guided Exploration of Your Experience through Writing.
Abby and Julie also discuss their journey through and after their mom's passing (yes, they're still processing it). Also, Abby suggests a new name for their podcast which Julie wholly and immediately rejects.
Insider Holiday Shopping Secrets with Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is your best friend this holiday season. If anyone knows shopping, it's Trae. If anyone can actually be a shopping "guru," it's also Trae. (It's no wonder she's made over a thousand TV appearances to talk about the tricks of the trade.) The holidays are fraught with so many decisions and gift-giving is one of the big ones. It's a fact that most of us need to be mindful of what we're spending and on whom. But who knew there was an almost-science to making the whole process just a bit more palatable? Join us as we practically interrogate Trae about where to shop, how to shop, and when to shop to get the best and smartest deals for the holidays. Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Small Business Saturday? No wonder our heads spin at this time of year -- and too many of us go into credit card debt as we turn the calendar page. Don't do it, Sisters! Listen in to Trae's invaluable words of wisdom in order to save yourself some money and your sanity. Abby and Julie also discuss their upcoming holiday plans and ponder the important questions to ask around the Thanksgiving table.
For more information go to www.truetrae.com
S3 E5: Reinventing Midlife with Dr. Ellen Albertson
The title of Dr. Ellen Albertson's book, Rock Your Midlife, tells you just what you need to know about what's inside. But it doesn't stop there. The subtitle is, 7 Steps to Transform Yourself and Make your Next Chapter Your Best Chapter.
Of course, we were intrigued since we're all about midlife at Sisters Cracking Up -- and all about making it the best it can be.
Dr. Ellen Albertson is a force of energy, light, and healing. She has grabbed midlife by the chin hairs -- and she shows you how to do the same. We loved this book for its honesty and straightforward advice and we knew we had to have her on the show. With chapters like, Befriend Yourself: From Self-Loathing to Self-Love and Empower Yourself: From Helpless to In Charge, there's something here for everyone who's wondering how to live the years we have left with integrity and passion.
If your next steps are unclear, or you can see them but can't figure out how to take them, you won't want to miss this episode.
Abby and Julie also discuss (okay, sing) a possible theme song for Julie's TV show if the opportunity might ever arise. They also talk (okay, whine) about the amount of time and work it takes to keep a podcast going, and how Abby's early motherhood years were largely spent in her efforts not to have a complete breakdown.
S3 E4:Why You need a Shaman with Shaman Brad Little Frog
Are you Shaman-curious? Does the idea that there’s more to the Universe than what you can see, feel, and touch intrigue you?
In the spirit of opening our minds (and yours), we invited Shaman Brad Little Frog to be our guest on Sisters Cracking Up.
Join us as we delve into how a shaman can help heal your mind, spirit, and body —and even help you sell your house — as Abby found out when she worked with Brad Little Frog to sell hers. The house was sold — and so was she!
Little Frog talks about life after death and what it really means, what we’re put on this Earth to do, and how we can connect with the two angels who are assigned to each of us in our lifetimes.
Intrigued? We thought so.
Brad Little Frog is a well-known shaman, healer, author, teacher, and life coach based in the greater Boston area. Little Frog works with clients all over the world to heal them and remove malevolent attachments. His specialties are depossession and house clearing and can be reached at www.littlefroghealing.com
S3 E3: Managing Your Anxiety with The Anxiety Sisters
Anxiety, anyone? Yep, we thought so. That’s why we invited The Anxiety Sisters (Abbe Greenberg MCIS and Maggie Sarachek MSW) to come on Sisters Cracking Up and teach us a thing or two about living with and managing anxiety.
Their book, The Anxiety Sisters’ Survival Guide” How You Can Become More Hopeful, Connected, and Happy is a veritable handbook to better understanding and managing panic, worry, stress or phobias.
Or, if you just want to pause the endless spin cycle in your head, you’ll find real-world, research-based techniques and insights that go deeper than the clinical, confusing one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t so helpful when your mind is racing and your triggers are in overdrive.
If you struggle with these issues or if you care about someone who does, don’t miss this episode.
We also discuss our own struggles with anxiety. As sisters do.
S3 E2: Why Life Gets Better After Midlife with Jonathan Rauch
Does the thought of getting older make you anxious? Are you in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and wonder if you’ve already hit your peak? Do not despair, Sisters. There is good news. Very good news.
In his book, The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, Jonathan Rauch does the extraordinary. He’s gathered all the cutting-edge research about aging and happiness and his conclusion is this: Life gets better and we get happier as we age. The midlife slump is just that; a temporary slump that seems to disappear as we get older… and happier.
Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington and is the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is contributing writer for The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, published in 2021 by the Brookings Press, is The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, a spirited and deep-diving account of how to push back against disinformation, canceling, and other new threats to our fact-based epistemic order. In 2018, he published The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, a lauded account of the surprising relationship between aging and happiness. And, of course, we couldn’t wait to have him on to share his findings.
S3 E1: Are you Cliterate with Dr. Laurie Mintz PHD
We're kicking off Season 3 with Dr. Laurie Mintz, author of the bestseller, "Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It."
Dr. Mintz is a feminist author, therapist, and tenured professor (University of Florida) whose life's work has been committed to helping people live more authentic, meaningful, and sexually satisfying lives. Tune in as we dig into everything orgasm: Who's most likely to have them and with whom? What women can do to increase their chances of achieving the Big O. The lies society has taught both women and men about orgasmic sex...and so much more!
To hear more from Dr. Mintz visit her website https://www.drlauriemintz.com/ or follow her on instagram@drlauriemintz
S2 E18: Why Women Drink with Gabrielle Glaser
Join Sisters Cracking Up, as we interview Gabrielle Glaser on her groundbreaking, bestselling book, "Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink -- and How They Can Regain Control." If you've ever struggled with alcohol addiction (or if someone you love has) OR if you've ever simply questioned your own relationship with alcohol (pandemic drinking, anyone?), this episode is a must listen.
From how women process alcohol, to how they feel about themselves when they drink, to what makes women drink...it's all here in this episode. (HINT: They're all very different from men's experience with booze.)
And if you're a woman considering AA, Glaser's findings and research on women and AA may surprise (shock!) you.
Join sisters Abby Rodman and Julie Howard for an in-depth interview with Gabrielle Glaser on her acclaimed book.
Gabrielle Glaser is the author, most recently, of "American Baby: A Mother, A Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption," which tells the shocking truth about postwar adoption in America through the bittersweet story of one teenager, the son she was forced to relinquish, and their lifelong search to find each other. The New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR named it a best book of 2021.
Gabrielle's 2013 book examining women's drinking and the American rehab industry, "Her Best-Kept Secret: Why Women Drink -- and How They Can Regain Control" was a New York Times bestseller. She has covered the intersection of health, medicine, and culture for The New York Times and many other publications, including The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Scientific American, and is the mother of three grown daughters.
S2 E17: Are You the Victim of Gaslighting? with Dr. Robin Stern.
Have you ever been made to doubt what you know to be true by a partner, a friend, a sibling, or a parent? If so, there's a good chance you've been gaslighted. Thanks to Dr. Robin Stern, "gaslighting" -- the term she coined to describe the experience of being manipulated into doubting one's own truth or sanity -- has been brought to the collective forefront of what we now understand is a form of psychological abuse.
Her book, The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life is the gold standard in the psychology field for those who've been the victims of this insidious and soul-destructing form of control -- and for mental health providers who need to know how it may be effecting the lives of their clients.
Why do some people gaslight others? Why are others more susceptible to being gaslit? And, if you are being gaslighted, what can you do about it?
Join Sisters Cracking Up hosts Abby Rodman and Julie Howard as they interview Dr. Robin Stern about gaslighting and her bestselling book.
You don't want to miss this one, Sisters!
Robin Stern, Ph.D., is the co-founder and associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and an associate research scientist at the Child Study Center at Yale. She is a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience treating individuals, couples and families. Robin is the co-developer of RULER (an acronym for the five key emotion skills of recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions) an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by over 1,500 public, charter, and private pre-school to high schools across the United States and in other countries. Robin regularly consults with schools nationally and across the globe. She also consults with large companies, including Facebook and Google on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design.
Robin is the co-founder of Star Factor Coaching, a model of leadership coaching anchored in the skills of emotional intelligence and was a founding member of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, where she spent 15 years creating and facilitating professional development programs for aspiring women leaders.
S2 E16: Comedy Genius Gary Janetti is the Real Family Guy
Gary Janetti, comedy genius and royalty, joins us to talk about his new book, Start Without Me: I'll Be There in a Minute.
You already know and love Gary Janetti from his work on Family Guy, The Prince, and Will & Grace. Now, you'll get to know and love the person behind the laughs as he shares what and who inspires him -- and his thoughts on commencement speeches, tanning, and fame.
Sisters Cracking Up hosts Abby Rodman and Julie Howard talk with Gary about his comedy roots, inspirations, and the people most important to him. We even got him to read some selections from his new book.
Gary has nearly a million followers on Instagram for good reason -- and we grill him on that, too!
Gary Janetti is a four-time Emmy nominated writer and producer who is the showrunner and creator of HBOMax's The Prince. He got his start writing on several network series before joining Fox’s Family Guy where he was on the original writing staff and went on to pen many memorable episodes featuring Brian and Stewie. He then wrote on NBC’s Will & Grace, where he rose to executive producer and showrunner.
His popular Instagram account of over 900k followers has been featured and praised in such publications as the New York Times, People, and Vanity Fair. Janetti’s first book, Do You Mind If I Cancel? became an instant New York Times bestseller. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, TV personality and fashion expert Brad Goreski
S2 E15: Behind the Scenes with Group Author Christie Tate
It's kind of impossible not to love the New York Times Bestseller, Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate. And, frankly, it's kind of hard not to love Christie Tate herself. If you enjoyed Group (and even if you're the one person who didn't), you're going to enjoy this interview, Sisters. Christie pulls back every curtain as she shares her hard-won journey to mental health and the unorthodox group therapy that helped get her there. Please join Sisters Cracking Up as we interview Christie Tate about her process of writing her stunning and revealing memoir which quickly became a Reese's Book Club Pick. Christie also reveals what she's working on next -- and we can't wait to read it. How 'bout them apples?
Christie Tate is a Chicago-based writer and essayist. She has been published in The New York Times (Modern Love), The Rumpus, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Eastern Iowa Review, and elsewhere. Kiese Laymon selected her essay, Promised Lands, as the winner of the New Ohio Review’s nonfiction contest, which was published Fall 2019
For more information about Christie you can visit her website https://christietate.com/
S2 E14: Surviving Your Emotionally Immature Parents with Dr. Lindsay Gibson
Did you grow up with an emotionally immature, unavailable, or selfish parent? Did you often feel unseen or unheard by those who raised you? Did you take on adult responsibilities or roles to compensate for your parent’s behavior? If so, you may still be challenged by lingering feelings of anger, betrayal, or abandonment.
Dr. Lindsay Gibson had a radical thought in her decades of practicing psychotherapy: Perhaps some of her clients weren’t the ones who needed therapy — it was their parent(s) that did!
Join us as we interview Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of the bestseller, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-involved Parents. This book is a groundbreaking work that uncovers this invisible trauma and reveals ways to heal and free yourself of your the wounds it inflicted.
Dr, Gibson is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been a psychotherapist for over 30 years. She specializes in helping adults who are interested in personal growth, especially when dealing with the effects of emotionally immature parents and other relationships.
For more information and writings by Dr. Gibson, you can check out her website http://www.drlindsaygibson.com/
S2 E13: Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old with Steven Petrow
Ever look at the habits or behaviors of your parents or grandparents and think, “I’ll never do that!”? Sure you have. But Steven Petrow kept copious notes about all the things he’d never do…and then wrote a book about it.
Yes, it’s funny. But it’s also touching and enlightening as Petrow takes us through the basics (“I won’t color my hair!) and then moves us gracefully into a deeper understanding of what it means to grow older. Petrow watched his own parents as they aged (and passed) leading to a profound sensitivity to the aging and dying process.
Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He’s also an opinion columnist for USA Today, where he writes about civil discourse and manners. Steven’s 2019 TED talk has been viewed nearly 2 million times and translated into 16 languages.
Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old was published in 2021 and named as one of the New York Times’ “favorite” books of the year (among other accolades). He is the author of five other books and is a much sought-after public speaker. You’re likely to hear him when you stream NPR or one of your favorite - or least favorite - TV networks.
Steven Petrow and this book may just change the way you feel about aging—and the always difficult process of watching your parents age. We loved this book (and Steven) and so will you, Sisters.
Want to know more about Steven? Go to https://stevenpetrow.com/
S2 E12: Jennifer Arthurton Gets Real About Midlife
Every midlife woman has a story. Sometimes that story can be one we can learn and grow from. Jennifer Arthurton, host of the podcast, Old Chicks Know Sh*t, was floundering in midlife until she decided to choose reinvention over personal struggle and complacency. Her life truly changed when she was willing to let go of the Image of what she (and others) thought her life should look like. And we’re pretty sure we can all learn something from that! Abby kicks off the episode with a story about a client who makes her question her own vanity in the face of aging. Julie points out that studies have been done on aging women who — at a rate of nearly 100% — believe they are aging better than those in their friend group. Go figure. You can contact Jennifer via https://www.oldchicksknowshit.com/
S2 E11: Patriarchy Stress Disorder: Dr. Valerie Rein on How It Holds Women Back
As women, we’re no strangers to the experience that what our lives look like from the outside often doesn’t match the dissatisfaction and turmoil within. And no matter how many self-help books we read, yoga classes we take, or smoothies we drink — we still feel like we’re drifting.
Dr. Valerie Rein is a psychologist and women’s mental health expert who has discovered Patriarchy Stress Disorder (PSD) and created the only science-backed system for helping women achieve their ultimate success, happiness, and fulfillment by healing the intergenerational trauma of oppression.
She holds an EDM in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Her #1 bestselling book, Patriarchy Stress Disorder: The Invisible Inner Barrier to Women’s Happiness and Fulfillment” has been heralded by reviewers as “the most important body of literary work of our modern times” and “perhaps the most important book of the century for women”. Learn more at https://drvalerie.com/
S2 E10: The Dollars and Sense of Divorce with Shawn Leamon
What do you need to know about your financials in order to move smartly through your divorce and end up with the best possible financial outcome? Great question! Cue Shawn Leamon because he's just the guy to advise us on all matters of divorce financials. We loved his straightforward, no-nonsense approach and so will you.
Shawn Leamon is an MBA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and host of the #1 divorce financial podcast, Divorce and Your Money. He is also the author of Divorce and Your Money: How to Avoid Costly Divorce Mistakes (2020), a no-nonsense, user-friendly guide that provides a complete plan for facing the tough decisions during divorce.
You can reach Shawn at https://divorceandyourmoney.com/
S2 E9: Borderline Personality Disorder: Expert Randi Kreger on How to Stop Walking on Eggshells
Randi Kreger, co-author of the bestseller, Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder, joins Sisters Cracking Up to pull back the curtain on the wild, complex and eternally frustrating experience of being in a relationship with someone with BPD.
And that relationship can be with anyone in your life: spouse, partner parent, boss, or even your child.
What are the hallmarks of this personality disorder? And why do those on the receiving end always feel like they’re losing their marbles?
Randi Kreger shares her personal experience with BPD and how it sparked a lifelong interest in the disorder. She has sold over a million books worldwide, enlightening and giving relief to those who didn’t have the words to describe their traumatic experiences. You can find out more at https://stopwalkingoneggshells.com/about-randi-kreger
S2 E8: Why You Need a Career Coach in Midlife with Angie Bruhn
Thinking about making that career change as you round the bend in midlife? So many of us are thinking about it…and doing it! But there’s so much to consider before we seitch those professional gears.
Career coach extraordinaire Angie Bruhn joins Sisters Cracking Up to discuss what you need to think about as you craft the second act of your professional life. And it’s not just about paying the bills. It’s about YOU.
Angi Bruhn is an executive leadership coach and CEO of Elevate Execs. After spending 18 years in the corporate world working for an intense, ever-changing marquee of brands, she has dedicated hersefl to empowering individuals to excel in diverse cultures and environments, enabling them to become the leaders and people they are meant to be. Interested in learning more? Contact Angie at https://elevateexecs.com/
S2 E7: How to Face the Toughest Conversations with Confrontationalist Danielle Gibson
Dreading that convo you know you need to have? We’ve all been there! Join us as we welcome Confrontationalist Danielle Gibson who teaches us how to conquer our fear and face our challenging interactions head on.
“Confrontation is usually seen as something negative but, what if instead of fearing confrontation and trying to avoid it, you stepped into it and embraced it directly?”
This is what Danielle Gibson, a Confrontation Expert and Performance Coach, helps her clients do. Danielle's definition of Confrontation is "To deal directly with someone or something you've been avoiding out of fear." Why is it important to learn how to be an expert Confrontationalist? Because that fear is what is holding you back! She partners with clients who feel stuck in a mundane unrewarding cycle to help them break free. The result? They gain a greater sense of awareness, clarity and confidence so they can get what they want, not just what they think they can get. In working through their blocks, they move toward a truly authentic life they can live on their terms.
Learn more at http://daniellegibsoncoaching.com/
S2 E6: Author and Humorist Helen Ellis on Friendship, Professional Poker and Not Giving Up
Author and humorist Helen Ellis is in the house. And no topic is off-limits!
We talk professional poker, menopause, friendships, marriage, and the wherewithal it takes to become a successful writer. (Also, if you didn't know that the phrase "bless your heart" has negative connotations, Helen explains why.) If you want to be Helen's friend, you've got to be willing to open up about your sex life and be prepared to show up in one of her books. To that, we say, "Sign us up!" She's so delightful, we think you'll be ready to sign up, too.
Helen is the author of Southern Lady Code, American Housewife, and Eating the Cheshire Cat. Her newest book, Bring Your Baggage and Don't Pack Light explores friendships between women and what it's like to be a woman in midlife.
Raised in Alabama, she lives with her husband in New York City. You can find Helen on Twitter @WhatIDoAllDay and Instagram @helenellisauthor
S2 E5: Comedian and Host of The Mental Illness Happy Hour Podcast: Paul Gilmartin Unplugged
Our enthusiasm is a little embarrassing, but we are true fangirls of Paul Gilmartin and his podcast, The Mental Illness Happy Hour. Listen in as Paul shares his own struggles openly and vulnerably -- in an effort to help others move through and beyond their own. A well-known comedian and host of the long-running TBS show, Dinner and a Movie, Paul Gilmartin turned to podcasting in 2011 as a way to work through his own trauma. In a podcast the New York Times calls, "a perversely safe place in which he and his guests talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods," Paul's openness and empathy have endeared him to millions of listeners around the world. This episode contains accounts of personal and sexual trauma which may be disturbing or upsetting to some listeners. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Learn more at https://mentalpod.com/
S2 E4: Sweetbitter and Stray Author Stpehanie Danler and Christina Mannatt on Sisterhood and Surviving Family Dysfunction
Danler calls her interview on Sisters Cracking Up, “The best podcast I’ve ever done.”
For the first time, Stephanie Danler and her sister Christina Mannatt are interviewed together to talk about Danler’s memoir Stray. Stray covers grave childhood dysfunction which includes a drug-addicted father who abandons their family when Danler was three, and a secretly alcoholic mother who was eventually disapbled by a brain aneurysm before Danler reached true adulthood.
But the story behind the story is the beautiful, complex, unconditional love between herself and her sister Christina Mannett. Although their trauma binds them in ways only known to them, they have cobbled together lives of meaning and sense — with each other at the center.
Danler calls her relationship with her sister, the “defining relationship” of her life.
Listen in as these two deeply-bonded sisters dicuss a shared traumatic history and their relationship which has helped heal them both.
Read more at http://www.stephaniedanler.com/
S2 E3: Midlife Indignities with Kristin van Ogtrop
In midlife, it’s not too late to manifest the life of your dreams. Most of us have heard of “The Secret” — but what if that technique of manifesting has just never worked for you? Listen in as sisters psychotherapist Abyy Rodman, and beauty and wellness expert, Julie Howard, talk with author, tarot diviner and intuitive, Liz Dean, as she describes the practice of using Switchwords to get exactly what you want.
S2 E2: Switchwords with Liz Dean: How to Use One Word to Get What You Want
In midlife, it’s not too late to manifest the life of your dreams. Most of us have heard of “The Secret” — but what if that technique of manifesting has just never worked for you? Listen in as sisters psychotherapist Abyy Rodman, and beauty and wellness expert, Julie Howard, talk with author, tarot diviner and intuitive, Liz Dean, as she describes the practice of using Switchwords to get exactly what you want. You can find out more about Liz at https://lizdean.info/
S2 E1: How Intergenerational Trauma Affects You with Mark Wolynn
Could your fear, anxiety, and depression (and other issues) have less to do with your current experiences and more to do with what your parents and grandparents experienced? Short answer: Yes. Inherited Trauma is real. Research shows it plays a far greater role in our physical and emotional health than ever before realized. We humans biologically pass down our trauma experiences to our children and grandchildren. It's not just a "feeling" thing: Our DNA actually changes based on the traumas of prior generations. Listen in as Mark Wolynn, leading expert in the field of inherited trauma, and bestselling author of It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle as he explains this life-changing phenomenon and what we can do to heal from trauma that spans generations. To contact Mark visit https://markwolynn.com/
S1 E13: Britney Spears: A SPECIAL EDITION, behind-the-scenes episode with award-winning journalist Leo Honeycutt, who was there at the very beginning
Britney Spears has been in the public eye for as long as many of us can remember. Join Sisters Cracking Up as journalist Leo Honeycutt reminisces about being the first to interview Britney just as her star was rising, and his ongoing involvement with the Spears family. Britney's often-tortured journey is as public as ever as she attempts to free herself of her family's conservatorship. #FreeBritney
Leo Honeycutt is an award-winning television journalist seen on CBS News, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, and CNN, including interviews with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, Muhammad Ali, and Britney Spears. Mr. Honeycutt also holds the Louisiana Literary Award® for his bestselling biography of Louisiana’s controversial governor, Edwin Edwards, as well as business awards for his book about CenturyLink™, America’s third largest telecom. A consummate researcher, he has written four other biographies and a novel. He was once credited with having filmed the first music video in 1974 to Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
o manifest the life of your dreams. Most of us have heard of “The Secret” — but what if that technique of manifesting has just never worked for you? Listen in as sisters psychotherapist Abyy Rodman, and beauty and wellness expert, Julie Howard, talk with author, tarot diviner and intuitive, Liz Dean, as she describes the practice of using Switchwords to get exactly what you want.
S1 E12: Introducing the Sister Factor! Real Sisters, Real Lives: The Fascinating Stories Only Sisters Share
Hey, Sisters! We're introducing a brand-new feature with this fun episode featuring power sisters Alexandra Trower and Andrea Scharff. Ever wonder what connects sisters and creates that unbreakable bond? The answer, of course, is the sharing of a unique family history that brings sisters close and keeps them closer.
Our guests today are pretty darn remarkable in their accomplishments and their sister bond! And we get to talk with them about everything midlife including menopause, breast reductions, and buying bras.
Alex Trower is a global communications and corporate affairs executive. She spent the last three decades working in asset management, banking, and global prestige beauty. She is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at her Alma Mater, Hollins University. She's also a frequent speaker and panelist focusing on women's leadership and career growth.
Andrea Scharff started her professional life working in the tech industry, but soon realized she preferred to be out in the garden more than inside the office. Andrea's company, Andrea Scharff Landscape Design specializes in custom residential and commercial landscape design from Maui to Montauk. Her work has been featured in the L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Lux Magazine. Andrea is also a top 25 Instagram most followed landscape designer, and most followed Instagram influencer for landscape design.
At the top of the 'cast, Abby and Julie discuss (perhaps at length) the lip-syncing TikTok phenom that is William White (@whiteyy18) who is making thousands of midlife women swoon one video at a time.
S1 E11: Are You the Victim of a Covert Narcissist? Bestselling Author Debbie Mirza Outs the Hidden Narcissist in Your Life
Has your relationship with your partner or spouse changed so dramatically you don't even recognize it anymore? Is your partner or spouse depleting you and you just don't understand why? Has anyone suggested your partner or spouse may be a narcissist and you rejected that idea? Debbie Mirza, the bestselling author of The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist, joins Sisters Cracking Up and pulls back the curtain on the most insidious and toxic form of narcissism. To learn more visit https://www.debbiemirza.com/
S1 E10:Top 10 EXPERT Midlife Dating Tips, Abby’s Cosmetic Filler Nightmare and Julie’s Podcast Takeover
This one's a goodie, folks! Listen in as midlife and online dating expert, Diane Anderson, gives us her top ten tips for successful dating in midlife. Abby shares her cosmetic filler debacle, and Julie unexpectedly commandeers the episode.
S1 E9: Her Husbands XL P*nis, Should Your Sons Wipe Your Butt? and Your Aging Parents Survey Answers
In this episode, Abby and Julie share your honest and raw Aging Parents Survey responses. Abby shares a friends’ TMI convo and a babysitter’s dad wonders who will wipe Abby’s butt one day because she only has sons.
Abby chooses Dax Shepard to join the Sisters Cracking Up Sister List, while Julie chooses Amy Poehler. Find out why
S1 E8: Stylist Extraordinaire Jacqui Stafford Shares Her Tricks For Looking Fab In Midlife
On episode 8, Abby and Julie talk to the inimitable stylist-to-the-stars Jacqui Stafford about tips for looking your best in midlife. Jacqui Stafford is one of the industry’s most influential style and beauty experts. She’s a best-selling author, stylist and TV personality and her work has appeared in countless magazines including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Shape. Additionally Jacqui has a high profile client list ranging from celebrities to royalty. On top of it all, at the age of 41, Jacqui adopted a baby as a single mother. Currently, you can see Jacqui weekly on QVC where she works closely with famed fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.
Get more tips and shop at https://jacquistafford.com/
S1 E7: Insider Secrets of Book Publishers, The Power of Fearlessness, and Abby's Musings on Her Upcoming Bestseller
In this episode, Abby and Julie pick the brain of book publishing/publicity phenom Jordan Rodman. Jordan has fearlessly taken FIFTY books all the way to the NYT bestseller list. If anyone knows this business inside and out, it's her. By the time we're in midlife, we all have a book in us. Jordan provides the inside scoop on what it takes to get to the top of the pile, while Abby muses about her upcoming novel which never seems to get written.
Prior to joining Avid Reader Press, Jordan Rodman spent five years at Alfred A. Knopf, Pantheon, and Schocken books at Penguin Random House where she developed and executed large scale publicity campaigns for many authors including: Dave Eggers, Lisa Taddeo, Stephanie Danler, Gary Taubes, Lidia Bastianich, Nathan Englander, Mike Finkel, Masha Gessen, Judy Blume, and Joan Nathan. Jordan is also on the Artistic Board of the Moth, an organization dedicated to promoting the art of storytelling.
S1 E6: Sexless Relationships, Abby’s Shamanic Experience, and Julie’s Unrealistic Hopes For The Vaccine.
In this episode, real life sisters, psychotherapist Abby Rodman and beauty and wellness expert Julie Howard discuss sexlessness in marriages and relationships. Drawing from a survey that garnered hundreds of responses (from mostly men!), you’ll hear the skinny and the scoop on how and why a relationship becomes sexless. Abby discusses having her house “cleared” by a Shamanic Practitioner, and Julie wonders if the Covid vaccine might have special “fountain of youth” powers. Tune in, Sisters!
S1 E5: Covid Holidays, New Year's Resolutions, The Vaccine, and Your Election Survey Results
Holidays feeling a little Covid-y this year? We're with you! In this episode, real-life sisters psychotherapist Abby Rodman and beauty expert Julie Howard talk about the joys and challenges of the holidays during the pandemic, Abby's famous (or she likes to think) turkey recipe, and listeners' election survey results. From red to blue and in between, we share 'em as we get 'em.
On our Sister List this episode, Julie names the unforgettable (and much missed) Carrie Fisher, and Abby chooses her girl-crush, Abby Wambach.
S1 E4: Blow Dry With A Vacuum? Our Guest's Midlife Genius Innovation
Hair? Meet RevAir! Our lovely, smart, empowered manifester-guest, Debra Isaacson, brought a "crazy idea" at her kitchen table to a revolutionary new product for blow drying hair -- and it's setting the world of haircare on fire. If you've ever had a great idea for a product (haven't we all?) but talked yourself out of it, listen in for inspiration and motivation.
Debra also names her pick for our Sister List and it's none other than the inimitable Chrissie Hynde. Find out why.
S1 E3: The Confidence of Age, Abby's Zoom Fashion Shortcut, and YOUR Beauty Survey Answers
In this episode, sisters beauty expert Julie Howard and psychotherapist Abby Rodman talk all things beauty. Listener-Sisters describe what makes them feel most beautiful, when (and at what age) they felt most beautiful, and how their definition of beauty has changed over time. Julie dives deep into her own relationship with beauty after decades working in the beauty industry. Abby talks about downsizing after her recent move and the joys of bralessness.
S1 E2: The Ongoing Coronavirus, Who Does That?, and Your Sibling Survey Results
Sisters psychotherapist Abby Rodman and beauty/trend expert Julie Howard lament the ongoing pandemic, ask Who does that? without judgment (while very much judging), and dig into listeners' fascinating sibling survey responses. They also reveal their newest inductees into their honorary Sister List. Tune in!
S1 E1: The Disturbing Ridiculousness of White Privilege, BLM, and Your Pandemic Survey Answers
Join real life sisters, psychotherapist Abby Rodman and beauty expert Julie Howard, as they delve into and dish about the realities, challenges, and joys of midlife.
Midlife has the capacity to crack us with all of its trials and changes. But the things that crack us up help keep us going and help keep us sane.